It's the music that counts

Vol. 12 | This Week's Playlist Additions

Author

Valerie S.
December 18, 2024

Hi there,

Are you someone who loves keeping score of every single song you vibe with? I’m no fortune teller, but how’s your 5,000+ liked songs playlist going? 😂

I totally get it — adding songs to my playlist is like taking lots of photos and saving them to my gallery. I’ve accumulated so many that now I have too many songs and playlists than I can count!

So here I am, ungatekeeping some of my coolest music finds and putting my playlists to work, so you can give your ever-growing playlist a weekly refresh. I may already have a treasure trove full of songs, but like a jeweller always looking for the finest pieces, I’m always eager to collect more.

Catch ya next week,

Val ♫

(P.S If you are reading this in your email, please click “Read Online” at the top-right corner next to the date for a better reading experience!)

In this week's setlist:

 

Old-school rock band Linkin Park makes a powerful comeback seven years after the passing of vocalist Chester Bennington, introducing a new female vocalist and a deeper, more hardcore acoustic style that’s bound to rock your world.

At first listen, the band sounds like they’ve veered into a raw kind of metal that might be too drastic for some longtime fans, but as I went through the rest of the songs, I could hear the classic tunes and riffs they were known for in the 2000s.

While nothing beats the songs I listened to in high school, I appreciate this new music approach, as it reflects how much the band has grown over the decades. If you’re open to a different flavor of rock with a touch of nostalgia, consider this one a try.

Here are the tracks that stood out to me:

  • Heavy Is the Crown: If you’re looking for a new Linkin Park song that feels close to their roots, this one hits the most nostalgic notes on the album.

  • Two Faced: I love how the rap verses carried this song, along with the screaming lines. But nothing beats the raw screaming in IGYEIH.

  • Good Things Go: I get a bit of Imagine Dragons vibes somehow. If you’re more into pop punk, this song is more palatable on your ears.

🛍️ Shazam Loots

Back when phones didn’t have internet, finding a song meant relying solely on memory and a lot of humming — so you can bet Shazam is a HUGE lifesaver for me now. Aside from taking 0.5x selfies and looking for Wifi signals in remote areas, using Shazam is one of the few times you’ll catch me with my arm outstretched to the nearest music source.

Here are some of my favourite Shazam finds lately:

🔢 Counting the Twenties

Your twenties are all about big changes and figuring life out — where even one decision can dramatically change the course of your life. And let’s be real, some years just hit harder than others.

Here are a few standout ages that artists have felt inspired to write about:

🎶 New Music This Week

LET U LEAD by Noah Guy and Billy Lemos: If you’re wondering if I pulled out an old soul classic from the 90s, think again 🤭

Coffee by a!ka: Turn up your caffeine rizz beyond your usual “that’s that me espresso” appetite with this smooth track.

Raining but It’s Ok by dublon, Tour-Maubourg and manon: This isn’t your ordinary jazz piano ensemble. Get ready for a fresh blend of jazz and house — the magic happens at 0:27.

📼 Your Go-To Mixtapes:

X’mas Bops: It’s the most wonderful time of the year — let’s make your Christmas playlist just as magical with this festive collection🎄🎄🎄

Best of 2024: Heads up! I’m still adding to this yearly mixtape until the year wraps up. Save it now and kick off 2025 with some of the best vibes from this year 🌟

Inspired by this week’s music picks?

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